CLUDIO SERGIO DA SILVA SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN EAST COWES

A man accused of sexually abusing three young boys over a span of six years has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Claudio Sergio Da Silva, aged 51 and residing on Monks Walk in East Cowes, began abusing his first victim in 2010. He later assaulted two more boys, all under the age of 16 at the time, with the attacks continuing until 2016. His reign of abuse was halted when the victims courageously reported the incidents.

Following a thorough investigation, Da Silva faced charges including six counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of sexual assault. Although he denyed the charges, a jury at the Isle of Wight Crown Court found him guilty on Friday, 7 February. Today, at Portsmouth Crown Court, His Honour Judge Melville QC sentenced him to 10 years for what he called "systematic abuse," and imposed an unlimited Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

PSI Claire Linton from Isle of Wight CID commented, “I cannot emphasise enough the strength and bravery of these young boys. It is down to them that this dangerous sex offender has been taken off the streets. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of this type of offence to come forward and speak to us. We understand this can be a really difficult thing to do, but I hope the verdicts of the jury and the sentencing are reassurance that we take these allegations seriously and you will be listened to.”